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Sunday, April 7, 2013

Soulful, Poetic, Artistic -- Virginia Dehn

Several months ago, while I was reading all War and soldier books ( see those reviews here ), Sherry Scott began encouraging members of the Paris Poet Society to enter a writing contest that was being sponsored through the Bonham Creative Arts Center. I looked at the paintings of Virgina Dehn and liked them all, but found that one spoke to me in particular. It made me think of death, and soldiers, particuarly our fallen heroes. But the name of that particular piece of art -- "and their names were written on water" also made me think of the survivors, and how your memory of the dead is not what you think it would be, and how angry you feel.

I was reminded of my Grandmother being presented with a folded flag at the funeral of my Grandfather, a World War II Veteran. I was crazy about Grandad, in my big little five year old heart, and that flag made a huge impression on me, the way it was draped over his coffin. I was quite sure that Grandad was just crazy about me, too -- he always gave me attention, took us to parks -- he even took me shopping and let me pick out my very own toy! I picked this really cool clock that played music and treasured it as a memento of him. On the day he died, I remember finding mom in the closet on her knees crying, and being so sad myself because -- although I didn't really know what it meant -- I knew that I would never be able to tell him how much I loved him, even though I had thrown up the soup he made for me last time we saw him, a mere week before at my great-grandmother's funeral.Although it was only a week's difference, I don't recall her funeral at all. But Grandad's funeral made a BIG impression on me, with that unforgettable flag that they finally folded up and handed to my Grandmother.

Flash forward to the first soldier from Paris, Texas in recent years who gave his life in battle. I don't know what his widow felt, but I saw some pictures and can only imagine. I do know that this lovely town that I lived in showed up by the thousands -- thousands -- when they flew him home. We lined the streets from airport to funeral home, waving our flags. This was our authentic response to his sacrifice, even while all around the country other sentiments were being expressed. I will never forget it. (Here is a link to another very PATRIOTIC story about our town).

What would a man like that be like? What would he say to his wife? And how would she feel about it, and about that flag they gave her?

Those are the themes I explored in my writing. Patriotism, love, the ultimate sacrifice, memory, honor, authentic anger. I wrote it, submitted it, and -- frankly -- forgot about it.

I forgot about it until I got a notification that they had selected me as one of the writers who would be published in the small press publication of the art of Virginia Dehn. This month -- April 12, the Creative Art's Center will open it's exhibition of The Ascent, the art of Virginia Dehn, as well as hold the publication party for the release of "Inner Landscapes: Writers Respond to the Art of Virgina Dehn." I'm honestly a bit sad that I can't be there, as that is opening night of "The Vagina Monologues" -- even though I am thrilled to be a part of that. I will find a time to go to the exhibit, and I hope you will too.

I also hope that you will read the anthology, as I love the other poetic and prose responses in the little book. I can honestly say that I am truly honored to be a part of it. The book is filled with authentic responses to Dehn's art by persons from all over the country, with varied backgrounds and ages. They are all quite profound. If you read the book, you will wonder at the creativity and truthfulness of human beings. You will be touched and inspired.

Random Quotes!

About Me

It's not about my savvy, but our savvy. Reading and story engagement
are great for our minds. It's also about our lovely Paris, Texas, and
our amazing performance artscommunity.
I am a life-long reading, music and fine arts enthusiast / performer. I love to blog about my theatre experiences, as well as what I read and sometimes just about life. You
will also find my Book Briefs in The Paris News and on Goodreads.
So, enjoy! And remember to keep your mind active and healthy -- Savvy
-- by taking a break from the shallows (TV, Internet and electronic
device of your choice).

2014 Favorites!

So wonderful. I may now understand what the fuss is about the missing part of this translation, but still it is so well worth it. If you've never fallen in love with the Iliad, stop what you are doing and listening to this audio version...

Via Audio. Had this for awhile. Why did I wait so long? Is it the cover or the start of the book?
Sneaky little surprise. I love Brit Lit. I love the humor and the peculiar but expressive slang. But what I love more are books...

Via audio. 2014 has been a strange book year for me. I haven't loved loved loved any literary fiction. Is this the book that does it for me? I'm not sure, but it is definitely in the tops for the year, and I'll be thinking about it for...

I totally was not out to get sucked into another series or sail through them all in a very few short months. But this one grabbed me as something different. Yes, the history through a wife's eyes has been done and is growing in popula...

I hate short stories. I'm just a long story person. I want to be given a chance to care about every aspect of the story. I want something to think about. I want a chance to laugh, cry, be curious, be surprised, and be swept away. I w...

Warning: you are going to want to read this from cover to cover. What a profound young love story, which raises so many great questions. Why do we read Romeo and Juliet? Is young love, against all the odds, always doomed? Who / what...

(Via Audio). I purposefully didn't rush through this. Love these books, and getting to enjoy a new one is like slipping into a warm blanket on a cold winter's night. Just where you want to be, with Jamie and Claire and the kids. Chill...

Another excellent surprise. This started out a little rough for me, but I'm so glad I stuck with it. A book with huge scope covering the lives of two women in Afghanistan, this will first make you curious and then begin tugging on you...

I'm late to this series, but I love it. This is the more realistic book of these series, more political history than mysterious and fantastical women behind the scenes. Many like it the least because of that, but I think it does a gre...

Very cute easy read. Picture an Aussie Sheldon /Spock who logically deduces that he should marry but hates wasting his time on incompatible women so he designs the perfect test to find the perfect wife. In walks the delightfull Rosie wi...

(Via Audio) Robin's mother anyways told her that regardless of who or what you are in life, regardless of what you do or don't do, you'll go through hardship, "Everybody's got something." She also told her to "Make your mess your messag...

How to express what this book means to me, to my loved ones, to my Texas? If you think you know the whole story, I promise you, you don't. If you are a woman or love a woman, or have a sister or daughter or mother, you need to read t...

*Spoiler Alert*
Interesting book, especially for the fact that the more things change, the more they stay the same. Who is the Miniaturist? Why did Petronella stay and help this family? How do we ever learn compassion as a human ra...

(Via Audio). My best description of this is Pulp Fiction meets Dickens. Yes, while reading the book, you'll be reminded of Oliver and Great Expectations, but you'll also see a thoughorly modern mash up and you'll wonder throughout how...

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A Note on Ratings

You will notice that I have a number of high ratings for my 20-- Favorites list. I do really enjoy books. I also believe we are all a little stingy with our ratings. It is very hard to write a good book! So if a book is well written, resonates with me, and has a satisfying ending (not meaning happy but right), then I rate the book a 5 star rating. If I loved the book, but it was missing one of these, then I rate it a 4. Enjoyed the book but found some real literary flaws, a 3, OR just found the book ok, even if well written, also a 3. In other words, if I only come across one 5 star a year, heavens I'll just have to find another hobby. Take care with your ratings, and, PLEASE, go ahead and give a 5 if it meets all your standards. It's ok to love that book, even if it is not the very very very best book ever! Then again, if you have a negative reaction to it, share your opinion, you are entitled. And that's all I have to say about that.